19th April 2010 – Last Day in Chiang Mai.

We got up before dawn again today at 5.30am so that we can leave the hotel at 6.00am. Lily is feeling awful because she is still sick but she is a trouper. We took a TAXI to the Doi Suthep temple. Lils slept on the way.

When we arrived, even though Lily and I had on knee length shorts it did not satify the resident monk so he lent us the pretty skirts that you see in the photos.When we got to the temple we were in time to see the sunrise. Quite spectacular!! The entire temple is quite spectacular.

We had to take a funicular up to the temple and we walked around. Everything is so ornate and the temple is quite extensive, every corner you turn has something more simulating to see.

We also saw the feeding of the monks as they carried their bowls. There was one very old monk, he was walking with the aid of a stick. My heart went out to him. He seems so peaceful.

We also watched another ceremony where there was this row of cups filled with oil. In the centre of each cup was a burning wick. You have to take a spoon and pour oil around each wick. There were about 10 cups in a row. Could not find any one to explain this ritual.

We walked down the serpent staircase of 340 steps. It was so neat to be there in the cool of the morning, the sun rising out over the city and hearing the chanting of the monks. Once again I find it feels surreal.

We left and went to a cooking class. We arrived early and they allowed us in to st on the floor, as is their custom, while we waited on the teacher. Once again Lils napped as she tried to help her body heal. The first part of the class was a walk to the nearest market where we were taught how to choose the produce. See us walking down the back streets of Chiang Mai, swinging our woven shopping baskets to go and buy our cooking ingredients.

Then back to the house again. The classes are given in people's homes not a school. We were given menus to cho0se what we wanted to cook and then we started We made 1) spring rolls, 2) Red Thai curry noodles, Fried Banana and stir fry chicken and noodles. We stopped and eat each course as we finished cooking it. This was great fun. It was a peaceful morning and a great day for Lily to handle as it was very slow paced.

Back to the hotel, packed up our things and off to Sri Lanka we go… I don't even know where Sri Lanka is on the map…. But that's where we are going!!!!